Apparatus and method for liquids and gases

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present disclosure provide various apparatus and methods. In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for mixing a gas with a liquid. The apparatus may include a pipe having two ends. The pipe may provide a main fluid path and may have an interior surface having a first groove. The apparatus may also include a helical vane disposed inside the pipe. The vane may have a first projecting tongue that engages the first groove. The apparatus may also include a gas injection port on the pipe adapted to inject gas into the fluid path upstream of the helical vane. In some embodiments, the helical vane may be a 3D printed component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/573,300, filed Dec. 17, 2014, for “Apparatus andMethod for Liquids and Gases,” which claims the benefit of and priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/739,704, filed Dec.30, 2013, for “Water Treatment Apparatus and Method”, the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure relates to liquid and/or gas systemsand methods.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,527, issued Jun. 7, 1988, describes a StaticAerator. International Patent Publication No. WO 1995012452 A2,published May 11, 1995, describes a Gas Injection Method and Apparatus.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure, in order to provide a basic understanding ofsuch aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated features of the disclosure, and is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure norto delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of thedisclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide various apparatus and methods.Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for an apparatus thatmixes a gas with a liquid. The apparatus may include a pipe having twoends, with a first end being a liquid input end and a second end being aliquid outlet end. The pipe may provide a main fluid path. The pipe mayhave an interior surface having a first groove disposed thereon. Ahelical vane may be disposed inside the pipe, dividing a portion of thefluid path into two fluid path regions. The vane may have a firstprojecting tongue that engages the first groove. The apparatus may alsoinclude a gas injection port on the pipe adapted to inject gas into thefluid path upstream of the helical vane. In some embodiments, the tubeand the helical vane are unitary with each other.

Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for a method ofmanufacturing an apparatus for mixing a gas with a liquid. The methodmay include programming a three-dimensional (3D) printer to print amixing assembly having desired characteristics. The method may alsoinclude programming the 3D printer to print the mixing assembly with the3D printer. The desired characteristics of the mixing assembly mayinclude a tube having two ends, with a first end being a liquid inputend and a second end being a liquid outlet end. The tube may provide amain fluid path. The desired characteristics may also include a helicalvane disposed inside the tube, dividing a portion of the fluid path intotwo fluid path regions. The desired characteristics may also include agas injection port on the tube adapted to inject gas into the fluid pathupstream of the helical vane.

Some aspects of the present disclosure provide for a controller. Thecontroller may be configured to maintain gas saturation using anautomated pH controller system comprising a water pump. The water pumpmay be attached to a helical vane that is housed within a pipe. Thecontroller may be further configured to determine that there is anadequate supply of carbon dioxide when the pH rises above a thresholdvalue. The controller may be further configured to transmit a signalconfigured to close a contact, wherein closing the contact activates amotor that allows carbon dioxide to flow from a carbon dioxide tank intothe pipe housing the helical vane.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more fullyunderstood upon a review of the detailed description, which follows.Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present disclosure willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, upon reviewingthe following description of specific, exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Whilefeatures of the present disclosure may be discussed relative to certainembodiments and figures below, all embodiments of the present disclosurecan include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein.In other words, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as havingcertain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also beused in accordance with the various embodiments of the disclosurediscussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may bediscussed below as device, system, or method embodiments it should beunderstood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in variousdevices, systems, and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a helical vane secured in a pipe inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a first example of a portion of a helical vane in apipe in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates a second example of a portion of a helical vane in apipe in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D illustrates a third example of a portion of a helical vane in apipe in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first view of an example of a hollow pin forinjection of a gas in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second view of an example of a hollow pin forinjection of a gas in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a steel pin positioned through thehelical vane for dispersing gas in accordance with various embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a venturi attached upstream of thehelical vane for enhanced transfer of gases into liquids in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a process for manufacturing a helicalvane in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a manufactured helical vane inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates a first example of gas injected into a helical vanein accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B illustrates a second example of gas injected into a helical vanein accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C illustrates a third example of gas injected into a helical vanein accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6D illustrates a fourth example of gas injected into a helical vanein accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of two helical vanes in a single pipe inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example an apparatus that recirculates treatedwater in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a bio-reactor in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10A illustrates a first view of an example marine craft inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10B illustrates a second view of the example marine craft inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10C illustrates a third view of the example marine craft inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a dishwasher system in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a pump/vane in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13A illustrates an example of a three-dimensional (3D) printingapparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13B illustrates an example of the 3D printing apparatus during afirst stage in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13BC illustrates an example of the 3D printing apparatus during asecond stage in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a method and/or process in accordancewith various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well known structures and components areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that similar featuresand/or elements described herein may be associated with various (e.g.,different) reference characters (e.g., numbers) without necessarilyimplying that such features and/or elements are dissimilar or different.One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that each referencecharacter (e.g., number) shall be construed and interpreted based on thecontext in which it is used in each particular instance. One of ordinaryskill in the art will also understand that some reference characters(e.g., numbers) may not be repeated for each and every reference tosimilar features and/or elements; however the omission of any referencecharacter (e.g., number) is not necessarily intended to indicate thatsuch features and/or elements are not similar.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a helical vane in a pipe. FIGS. 1B-1Dillustrate various examples of a portion of a helical vane in a pipe. Inparticular, FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate various examples of a helical vanesecured in a pipe without the need of adhesive glues. Occasions mayarise where the vane made of a specific material needs to be secured ina pipe made of material incompatible for proper adhesion for dissolvingdifferent gases into various liquids. A tongue and groove attachmentmethod will properly secure the helical vane, which may be typicallyexposed to the stress of pumped liquid pressurizing around the vane andthrough the pipe.

By manufacturing the vane with a tongue located in an upstream beginningportion of the helical vane, which fits into matching grooves in thepipe, the helical vane can be properly secured within the pipe andwithout the need to rely on adhesives. In part, FIGS. 1A-1D illustrateliquid flow through a pipe 3 with a vane attached 4 and passages 1, 2 onthe top of the vane tongue that slides into a groove 5 of the pipe 6.Tongue and groove may be cut to size depending upon the size of the pipeand corresponding size of the vane. Liquid flows past the upstream topof the vane 8 and through the pipe 6.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, and 4 show efficient injection designs that allow forefficient distribution of gases into pipes, which results in improvedtransfer of gases into liquids. Tests have determined that specificmethods of gas injection into the pipe housing the helical vane, may beoptimized for efficiency. Some designs include an air hose barb attachedto the pipe that houses the vane. Such designs may include a single portfor gas injection. Testing the vane concluded that sometimes in somesituations injected gas competes with water flow and cannot disperseproperly in pipe using a single air hose barb connection withoutincorporation of additional gas dispersion techniques. Injecting gasusing a higher pressure (e.g., pounds per square inch (PSI)) does pushgas further into the pipe chamber; however, the extra gas is wasteful,and this may be a less efficient method of transferring gas into liquid.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example of a hollow pin for injection of agas. The pin is barbed on both ends for air hose attachments. Gas isexposed at both ends of the pin and collides in the center. Such acollision disperses gas into the pipe that houses the helical vanethrough the drilled holes. Such a design also allows for two differentgases to be connected. The pin may include six holes drilled in thedownstream-side to allow for gas to flow into pipe chamber withoutcompeting against incoming water flow. A fewer number of relativelylarger holes may be used. Alternatively, a greater number of relativelysmaller holes may be used. Multiple holes allow for better distributionof injected gases before the liquid moves through the vane. Asillustrated in FIG. 2A, the helical vane 9 and the pipe 10 is drilled toallow for a custom steel pin 11 to be inserted. The pin 11 may havemultiple holes 12 pointed downstream, which may allow for the release ofgas into the upstream section of pipe housing helical vane. Illustratedin FIG. 2B is a side view 13 of the pin.

FIG. 3 illustrates the steel pin positioned through the vane fordispersing gas in an efficient manner. The pin 14 may be positionedthrough the vane 15 and one air hose may be connected to the barb 16.Another air hose may be connected to the barb 17 and injected gas orgases collide at the midsection of the pin. As a result of such acollision, gases may be ejected through the drilled holes 18, which arepointed downstream. Air hose is secured by barbs 19 on the pin.

FIG. 4 illustrates a venturi attached upstream of the helical vane forenhanced transfer of gases into liquids. A method of mixing gas andliquid may include passing liquid through a venturi to create a lowpressure zone, thereby exposing a supply of gas to the low pressure zoneadjacent the venture. This may allow low pressure suction to extract gasfrom the gas supply and expose the gas to more liquid before enteringthe pipe housing the helical vane.

The inside diameter of a conduit through which the liquid flows may bereduced when a venturi is connected, which creates a low pressure zone.A gas supply may be exposed to the low pressure zone and the gas fromthe gas supply may be allowed to enter the liquid. The gas and theliquid mixture may pass through the pipe housing the helical vane, tofurther reduce the size of the gas bubbles and thereby increase thesurface tension of the gas bubbles mixing with the liquid, therebyenabling an enhanced efficiency of the gas transferring into the liquid.

The venturi section may decrease the diameter of the insidecircumference of the venturi injector valve, thereby increasing thevelocity of the liquid in the valve. A low pressure or suction areaadjacent to the outlet of the gas supply hose is thereby created. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, a venturi may be upstream where less flow ofwater can achieve high rates of gas transfer. An area 20 may include anair hose barb attached to a check valve 21, which may be connected to aventuri 22. A threaded adapter 23 may be placed over the helical vane 25and attached to a threaded venturi 22, as illustrated in the positioning24 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a process for manufacturing a helicalvane. FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a manufactured helical vane.Some designs may use heating and bending of plastics (e.g., PVCplastics). In some embodiments of the present disclosure,three-dimensional (3D) printers may be used to manufacture (e.g., print)the helical vane as described further below. Using 3D printers, thehelical vane may be manufactured (e.g., printed) to exactspecifications.

In various experiments, a controlled test was performed wherein thehelical vane was manufactured (e.g., printed) using PVC plastics,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastics, and nylon plastics. Aprinted vane was then slotted into the pipe. When connected to a ½horsepower (hp) pump and oxygen bottle, the vane and the pipe (e.g., astatic aerator) oxygenated a full 40 gallon barrel of tap water at 15°C., 8 parts per million (ppm) to 35 ppm dissolved oxygen inapproximately 3 minutes. Using the aforementioned process of heating andbending PVC plastics, a helical vane was produced. Once attached into apipe, a pump, and an oxygen bottle, the vane oxygenated a 40 gallonbarrel of tap water at 15° C. to 24 ppm dissolved oxygen inapproximately 3 minutes. The same dissolved oxygen (DO) meter was usedin both tests. It was evident that printing the helical vane using a 3Dprinter resulted in much higher gas to liquid transfer efficiencies dueto the exactness of 3D printing compared to heating and bending plastics(e.g., PVC plastics).

Heating and bending plastic to may not be the most efficient method formanufacturing the helical vane. Injection molds may also not be mostefficient method for manufacturing the helical vane due to the variablepitch of the helical vane. However, manufacturing the helical vane usinga 3D printer, while much slower for production, can accommodate the gasinjection needs. The helical vane and tube can be printed using nylon,PVC, and/or other compatible filament with high tensile strength towithstand the force of water flowing at high speeds.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B, the helical vane 26 is printed from thebottom up with small holes 27 left open for gas injection (see, e.g.,FIGS. 6A-6B for additional details). A groove 28 around the vane tubemay be made to accommodate an o-ring. The printer platen 29 may supportthe printed object. Plastic filament may be ejected 30 by thepre-heating of the plastic filament by the heat sink 31. A buffer heatsink 32 may keep heat away from the filament gear box 33. One or moretypes of filament 34, 35 spool feed into the gear box. Referencecharacter 36 illustrates a fully printed helical vane and conduit asprinted in one, single piece.

In some embodiments, the tube and vane are printed together. The pipemay fit snug over the tube and vane, which may be glued if possible forthe substrates and/or alloys used. In some embodiments, nylon may beused. Nylon is believed not to be a hazard in applications where potablewater is involved. Nylon is strong; however, nylon does not adhereeasily to surfaces. Methods of 3D printing may include heat extrusionmethods and sintering methods, among others described herein and alsounderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, thevane may be 3D printed as a separate piece, such as the non-limitingexample illustrated in FIG. 3. Subsequently, a custom stainless steelpin, such as the non-limiting example illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and3, may be stabbed to the 3D printed vane. In some embodiments, the vaneand tube may be 3D printed in one piece when a micro-hose/o-ring methodis implemented, as described in further detail herein.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an example of technology that disperses gasinjected into a helical vane. In particular, FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate amethod of injecting gas into the helical vane in an evenly distributedmanner, thereby contributing to a better exchange of gas into liquidthrough the helical vane. A custom designed helical vane creates alow-pressure area that draws gas into the helical vane through multiplesmall holes. FIGS. 6A-6B show how liquid is pumped into a T-joint 38 andgas is injected through a port 39. A low pressure condition may exist asthe rubber o-ring 41 may prevent gas from passing the o-ring causing gassuction through holes or alternatively small holes can be replaced by aporous membrane, into the conduit, upstream of the helical vane due tothe low pressure. The helical vane 42 is illustrated with the tube as asingly-created object. An external pipe 43 may be secured over thehelical vane 42 and glued at an area 38 to the T-joint.

FIG. 6C illustrates another example of gas injected into a helical vanein accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG.6D illustrates an exploded view of the example illustrated in FIG. 6C. Apipe portion 602 may be pushed over a porous membrane 604. The porousmembrane may include various pores of various sizes without deviatingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. The porous membrane 604 mayallow gases to disperse uniformly around the fluid flow. The pipeportion 602 and the porous membrane 604 may be pushed into a reducing Tportion 606. The outer wall of the pipe portion 602 may be glued to theinner wall of the reducing T portion 606. Prior to applying the glue, aclear primer may be applied and allowed to dry for a few minutes. Areducing bushing 610 may be partly inserted into an opening of thereducing T portion 606. A one-touch fitting male connector 608 may bepartly inserted into an opening of the reducing bushing 610. Gases mayenter through the one-touch fitting male connector 608 and the reducingbusing 610, as illustrated in FIG. 6C.

A 3D printed tube 614 and a 3D printed vane 616 may be printed as asingle piece (using a 3D printer). An o-ring 612 may be manually placedin a groove located near an end region of the 3D printed tube 614. Thatend region of the 3D printed tube 614 may be inserted or pushed into anopening of the reducing T portion 606. That end region of the 3D printedtube 614 may then be positioned to fit snugly with an inner wall of theporous membrane 614 (which is located inside of the reducing T portion606, as described above). An outer wall portion 618 may fit tightly overthe 3D printed tube 614 and the 3D printed vane 616 such that the 3Dprinted tube 614 and the 3D printed vane 616 will not change positionsduring use. An end of the outer wall portion 618 may be glued to aninner wall of the reducing T portion 606. Prior to applying the glue, aclear primer may be applied and allowed to dry for a few minutes.

With respect various embodiments described in greater detail herein, theterms pipe and tube may include various meanings without deviating fromthe scope of the present disclosure. For example, a pipe may refer to atongue-and-groove, stainless steel pin method of securing a vane. A pipecan be a schedule 40 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, stainless steel,and/or any other plastic and/or metal. As another example, a tube mayrefer to a one-piece 3D printed item that includes a vane. A tube may beassociated with a porous membrane or small-hole perforations for gasdisbursement. A pipe may slide over a printed tube housing a vane,wherein an o-ring manually positioned on the groove of the tube comes incontact with an inner surface of the pipe. Thus at least two versionsare disclosed: one with a pipe that forms an inner conduit in which thevane resides; another with a tube in which the vane is integral with,and forms, an inner conduit immediately surrounding the vane, which tubeitself may be surrounded by a pipe, for example, for strength and/orcertification purposes. In some embodiments, the integral printed tubeitself can be the sole conduit, but for cost and various other reasonsit may be desirable to surround such a tube with a surrounding pipe.Accordingly, examples of conduits include pipes and tubes, as well aspipe and tube combinations. The term “pipe” as used herein is genericalso to both a conduit and/or a tube, and, thus, the term “pipe”includes, e.g., a PVC and/or other conventional pipe, a modified orcustomized pipe of any material or materials, any specialized pipe, andfurther refers to any structure (e.g. a tube) immediately surroundingthe vane to form a flow path related to the vane.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of one vane with another helical vane ofless length in a single pipe. The example illustrated in FIG. 7 mayenable higher gas saturation with more gas injected in real time, whilethe increased pressure increases the gas transferred to the liquid. Someexisting designs may inject gas into the pipe using one hose barb on asingle side of the helical vane. However with the added, shortenedsecond vane inline positioned downstream of first vane, and withadditional gas injection ports, the example illustrated in FIG. 7provides the possibility that more gas could be transferred efficientlyinto the same flow of liquid using two vanes inline as compared to asingle vane, without the need for recirculation. While this method maylessen water flow, there may exist occasions where less liquid volumeand more dissolved gas may be needed.

The portion 44 illustrates a set of two steel pins where gas may enterthe vane (see, e.g., FIGS. 2-3 for additional details), and the gas maybe exposed to the liquid within the vane 45 chamber. An additionalhelical vane 46 with 30% of the top-end removed may be secured withinthe pipe to enable an increased dissolving of the gas into the liquid.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example an apparatus that recirculates treatedliquid to increase dissolved gas levels. The helical vane mayimperfectly transfer a limited amount of gas into liquid. There mayexist requirements wherein higher dissolved oxygen levels or other gasesin liquid are required. In some cases, diffusers are used that diffusegas into water until the desired level of gas saturation is achieved,and such levels may be substantially higher than those provided for inexisting designs. For the helical vane technology to contend in anindustry that deploys aerators, diffusers or other methods of gastransfer, higher dissolved gas levels may need to be achieved than thevane presently attains. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a gas 47 may passthrough a regulator 48, which may control the outflow of gas. The gasmay travel into a helical vane pump assembly (see, e.g., FIG. 12), wherethe gas is mixed into a liquid. A liquid residing in a reservoir 51 maybe pumped through a bulkhead 52 and through a pipe 53 into a pump vaneassembly (see, e.g., FIG. 12). In the pump vane assembly, the injectedgas 50 may encounter flowing liquid. The gas is transferred to theliquid during such a process, and the treated liquid may flow through apipe elbow 56, through a pipe 57, through a bulkhead 58, and ultimatelyback into the reservoir 51 containing liquid. In the reservoir 51,additional recirculation may occur in order to increase gas levels inthe liquid. A pipe 59 may be used to fill liquid in the reservoir 51. Torelease the treated liquid, a ball valve 61 may be attached to thebulkhead 60. The ball valve 61 may be opened to drain the reservoir 51of the treated liquid.

In some embodiments, the gas may be oxygen and the liquid may be water.A pump with an attached vane may dissolve up to 22 ppm of oxygen in thewater. In some embodiments, oxygen gas levels in the water may attainlevels as high as 60 ppm of oxygen when treated water recirculates. Insome embodiments, the amount of gas transfer may be increased by up to300% (or more).

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a bio-reactor. In some embodiments, thebio-reactor may be used by farmers and others for treating algae,converting water to an organic plant food, and various other suitableapplications. Algae may bloom in lakes and ponds and may be considered ahealth hazard to farmers, boaters, swimmers and even to drinking water.Aerators, and/or diffusers are often deployed to reduce the impact ofalgae blooms. However, due to the large bubble size produced by thesebubble systems, the oxygen may rapidly rise to the surface, often makingthese systems ineffective in reducing algae blooms. In addition, suchsystems are static in nature and may apply predominantly to a localizedarea. In some circumstances, destratification may result from thesesystems Destratification may occur when cooler water is pumped from thebottom, or their bubbles push cooler water from the bottom of a lake.This may result in the exchanging of cool water from lower levels withwarm water from higher levels.

Such results may greatly impact the types of aquatic life that survivepredominantly at specific temperatures. Further, the aeration may alsodisturb the bottom sediment, which may mix into all water depths,release stored nutrients, and increase oxygen demand. Farms, golfcourses, ponds, lakes and aquifers have experienced many algal blooms inrecent times due to warmer water as is believed to be caused by climatechange (e.g., global warming) and nutrient buildup from fertilizerrunoff. Such conditions may create an eyesore for golfers, a hazard tofarms (as the algae cannot be collected or removed in a cost effectivemanner), thereby leaving agricultural workers no choice but to purchaseand use government supplied water.

Algae may be harvested in controlled environments and used forfeedstock, soil amending and fuel. However, harvesting algae may be anexpensive operation that typically requires expensive centrifuges andmachinery. Compost tea refers to a method wherein gardeners place a bagof soil bacteria in water that has nutrients added and aerated for 24hours or more. Aerobic bacteria, such as rhizobacteria, proliferate inthe oxygen-rich and nutrient-rich environment. The solution is then fedto plants for enhance health and growth.

The helical vane may be used in conjunction with a custom bio-reactor tocollect, grow, control, and/or terminate algae and/or bacteria in water.The algae and/or bacteria can then be applied to plants as a soilconditioner, which may be known as compost tea. Such a process may turna liability (algae in ponds) into an asset. Algae can be considered asuper-food when harvested in controlled environments. The growth rate ofalgae can be enhanced with the addition of carbon dioxide and light. Byoxygenating algae-infested water to levels over 24 ppm DO, sustained fora number of hours, and blocking any light penetration, the algae may dieand sink to the bottom. Aerobic bacteria and aerobic-loving fungi can bepurchased from various suppliers, and the same can be added to theoxygenated water, or even bacteria from soil can be added, which mayalso contain beneficial fungi. The aerobic bacteria or fungi mayproliferate throughout the water, thereby consuming the nutrient-richdead algae as food stock. As such, the process may produce compost teafrom algae, which may be a perfect soil conditioner for farms, golfcourses, and various other applications.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a method for converting algae-infestedwater into an organic plant nutrient solution that can be applied toplants and/or vegetable gardens. Water from a pond or an algae watersource may be pumped through a pipe 62 via an open ball valve 63,through a bulkhead 64, and into a water tank 65. Carbon dioxide may bestored in a steel tank 66 and, when released by a regulator 67, the gasmay flow out of a brass barb 68 through an air hose 69 and into asubmersible pump/vane assembly 70. Carbon dioxide may be exposed towater in a helical vane 71 and treated algae water ejects from an end ofa vane 72. Carbon dioxide may be added to increase the density of thealgae in water. For example, if the algal water contains highconcentrations of nitrogen and/or phosphorus, additional light sources73, 74 may be provided to increase the rate of algae growth. As the rateof algae growth increases, the rate of the consumption of nitrogen andphosphorus may increase as well.

Various pumps 70, 81 may plug into various power sources 75. When algaetreatment is complete, water may flow into a pipe 76 and a transfer pump77 may be manually activated by connecting power 78 to an electricoutlet. Treated water may be pumped through a pipe 79 and fill up ablack tank. The black tank may have an exterior layer 80 having adark-colored covering and/or paint in order to block sunlight fromreaching the algal water. A second submersible pump 81 may be activatedby connecting a power cord to a power source 75. Water may be pumpedthrough a vane exposing algal water to the injected oxygen, whichdissolves into the algal water by passing through a helical vane 82 andejecting into a body of water at an end region 83 of the helical vane82. In some embodiments, aerobic bacteria may be added. The aerobicbacteria may consume the dead algae as a feed stock.

When oxygen levels surpass 24 ppm DO, algae may begin to die. Afterhours of treatment, the oxygen bottle 89 with the regulator 90 may beclosed, thereby stopping oxygen from flowing through hose barb 91 and,consequently, flowing through an air hose 92 and into a pump vaneassembly 81. A ball valve 85 may be opened to allow the flow ofoxygenated water through a bulkhead 84 and into a second transfer pump86. The transfer pump 86 may be manually activated by plugging it into apower source 87. The oxygenated water may flow through a pipe 88 andinto a field or a tanker truck. A non-pressurized lid on a black tankmay be used to reduce the light entering the tank.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate examples of a marine craft. The marine craftmay have various solar arrays that provide a power source for powerpumps and oxygen concentrators, which may be used to push water througha helical vane and inject various gases, such as oxygen that can besupplied on demand by oxygen concentrators. The helical spin ofdischarging pumped water may provide jet propulsion attributes that canbe used to maneuver a marine craft. The marine craft may maintainposition in a manner that captures sunlight from the sun.

Many fresh water sources in North America have a relatively high ironcontent. This iron content, under aerobic conditions, may help sequesterphosphorus buildup in lake sediment, which may have been caused by farmrunoff, septic failings, and/or sewage treatment. Recently lakes havebecome warmer in temperature than before, perhaps due to climate change(e.g., global warming). Warmer water is more hospitable for algalblooms. Also, warmer water expands gases pressurized in lake water,thereby releasing some of the oxygen from the lake into the atmosphere.Further, lower-oxygenated water cannot react with iron in aerobicsituations, and stored phosphorus is released from sediment into thewater. Decades of phosphorus buildup may be become food for algae. Oncea bloom occurs, the oxygen in fresh water may become even more depletedas a result of the decomposing algae, and the dissolved oxygen levelsmay drop even further, causing the release of more phosphorus.

The addition of iron may help sequester phosphorus in the water treatedwith dissolved oxygen. In some circumstances, where the sediment ratioof iron to phosphorous has declined due to pyrite formation, adding iron(if needed), in combination with oxygenation, may be an effectivetreatment combination.

Some processes may exist for killing algae using chemicals, ultraviolet(UV) radiation, copper and other metals. However, such processes may beharmful to aquatic life or too costly to implement in a large scale.Aerators help raise dissolved oxygen content slightly. However, suchaerators are built to stay positioned in one area. Removing algae fromlakes is not cost efficient. Further, typical sedimentation techniquesused in sewage treatment (e.g., gravity-settling clarifiers) may notwork with many algae species because they may be buoyant. It is believedthat controlling or sequestering phosphorus content in lake water ismore feasible for controlling or preventing algal blooms than aerationprocesses currently used today.

In some embodiments, a floating solar array (e.g., a barge, floatingdock, or other suitable watercraft) may be used to to power a magneticdrive submersible or inline pumps with the helical vane(s) attached topumps. By re-circulating dissolved oxygen in lake, river, pond orsaltwater, phosphorus release can be lessened, and algae growth can beslowed and/or halted. High levels of dissolved oxygen gained in theprocess enables the naturally occurring or supplemented aerobic bacteriato feed on the dead algae. The solar array provides power to the pumpsand oxygen concentrators during daylight hours. By not attaching a pipeto the outflow end of the vane in the pipe, the oxygenated water may bedischarged directly from the vane into the water, thereby creatingpropulsion due to the helical spin that discharges water directly intothe lake. Such propulsion can be used to turn or move the craft to trackthe sun for greater solar capture or other navigational needs. Similarto a marine propeller or hydro-jet, power may be transmitted byconverting rotational motion into thrust. A pressure difference isproduced between the forward and rear surfaces of the airfoil-shapedblade.

Testing has shown liquid outflow from helical vane may be similar inprinciple. Water may increase speed as it moves through the vane, andwater may exit at a faster speed than entering the vane. Although thepropulsion is not significant enough to power a traditional motorboat,it is enough to move a floating craft with solar panels in the directionof the sun for maximum exposure. The 3 foot by 5 foot solar panels mayweigh approximately 45 pounds each and may convert 250 Watts per panel.Four keels may be connected and manually positioned to the steer craftunder pump propulsion. Each keel (which may be made of metal, plastic,carbon fiber, and/or fiberglass) is attached to a pole with pre-drilledholes above water level. A ring pin may be fitted to secure a keel angleand a keel depth manually, as needed. Keels can be turned up to 90° toslow movement of the craft. Lead weights located below the surface ateach corner of the craft may control craft pitch and yaw caused by windand/or wave forces. Stainless steel rings may be mounted on each cornerof craft and center mid section. The stainless steel rings may enablequick deployment when connecting to another craft or repositioning thesolar craft quickly (e.g., for anchorage). The floating craft may bebuilt in a modular fashion, which may allow for the connection of thecraft to other crafts for larger treatment needs. For example, largercrafts may be needed for oxygenating larger lakes, such as portions ofLake Erie (located in the United States).

Pitch and yaw may be minimized due to the added weight positioned deepbelow the craft. Manually shifting one or more keels to an obstructiveposition can slow craft propulsion as needed. A speed of 0.05 km/hr (50meters/hour) or slower may be desirable for heavy algae blooms. Possiblyslower speeds may be needed for craft stability in heavy winds. Foradditional craft propulsion, an electric powered outboard engine couldbe used to propel the craft. The craft may utilize a lithium batterythat may be recharged using land-based electricity and/or utilizingadded/dedicated solar panels on board the craft.

FIG. 10A illustrates an example of a floating platform 95. The floatingplatform 95 may be built from modular floating blocks sourced varioussuppliers and/or retailers. The floating platform 95 may also include aPVC plastic bumper 94, which may be attached to an outer perimeter. Oneof four keels 96 may be manually positioned for craft navigation. A leadball 97 may help reduce pitch and yaw. A steel pole 98 may connect thelead ball 97 to the craft. One of four steel rings 99 may connect thesolar craft to other water crafts or anchors. One of twenty-four solarpanels 100, 102, 104, 105 may be provided. Each solar panel 100, 102,104, 105 may receive sunlight at a best angle 101 for sunlight capture.An oxygen concentrator 103 may supply approximately 93% oxygen to asubmerged pump 110 at a flow of 5 lpm. A steel bar 106 may secure a pump110 to the craft 95. A steel weld 107 may allow for customized securityof the pump to the craft 95. A water inflow 108 may be included. Ahelical vane 109 may be used for dissolving oxygen in fresh or saltwater. One of four ¾ hp submersible magnetic drive pumps 110 may beincluded. An air hose 109 may also be provided for transporting oxygenfrom concentrator to pump which ports to helical vane.

FIG. 10B illustrates an example of a top view of the solar craft, whichincludes one of four keels 112, one of four steel poles 113 forsubmersible pumps, is one of four steel rings 114 to secure the craft toother crafts or anchors, two oxygen concentrators 115 that may supplyoxygen to magnetic drive pumps, each concentrator producing 12 lpmoxygen, 6 lpm per pump, one of twenty four solar panels 116, and a topdeck 117 of the floating craft.

FIG. 10C illustrates an example of a side view cut-away of a section ofthe craft that depicts the manual set keel 118, which includes aflotation section 119 of the craft, and a steel pole 120 withpre-drilled holes for height adjustment. A collar 121 with pre-drilledholes may be attached using a ring pin or cotter pin 122 to secure aparticular height and/or a particular angle. A coupling 123 may bewelded to the craft and the steel collar. Several pre-drilled holes 124may allow for manual raising of the steel pole to raise keel to aparticular height. Steel holes drilled in angular pattern may enable themanual turn of keel setting for pre-set directional control. A bottom125 of the float is in contact with water, and the keel may be securedto the steel pole with various bolts 126.

There are many applications for a solar powered craft which oxygenatesfresh or saltwater. Such applications include algae treatment, supplyingadditional dissolved oxygen for fish under stress due to hypoxicconditions, and addition of dissolved oxygen to waste treatment ponds.With solar-generated power, land-based electric power supplies orgas-driven generators may not be needed as much as would be neededotherwise. Combined with continuous oxygen supplied by concentratorsduring daylight hours, the craft can be anchored for unmonitoredoperation. The use of magnetic drive pumps are preferred because theyuse fifty percent less energy, oil-less, are corrosion resistant tooxygenated water, and are submersible. Some embodiments may include twooxygen concentrators and four magnetic drive pumps per craft. The craftmay be powered by a solar array that supplies 6,000 Watts ofelectricity. Each concentrator may draw 900 Watts, and each magneticpump may draw 600 Watts. Each craft may oxygenate 300 gallons per minute(gpm) at approximately 18 ppm DO and use 4,200 Watts and with the craftmoving at slow speed, will recirculate pre treated water, therebyincreasing oxygen levels considerably higher than 18 ppm DO.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a dishwasher system. In someembodiments, the dishwasher system may use dissolved carbon dioxideinstead of detergents for cleaning dishes, tableware, glassware andflatware. Some existing designs of dishwashers rely on heated water,detergents, and various rinsing agents for proper sanitation of dishes,tableware, and flatware. The detergents and various rinsing agents maybe costly to purchase and detrimental to the local ecosystem and/orsewage treatment plants when discharged into drains.

For various embodiments of the present disclosure, an experiment wasperformed at a restaurant. A helical vane was attached to a ¾ hpcentrifugal pump with a connection to a water reservoir. Water wastreated for 15 minutes to boost carbon dioxide levels in water to 2000ppm or greater. An on-demand transfer pump connected the carbon dioxidetreated water to a dishwasher to match city water pressure of 50 poundsper square inch (psi). The on-demand pump may then be controlled by thedishwasher and activated when a pressure drop occurs. A pressure dropmay occur when the water intake line of the dishwasher is opened inorder to fill the dishwasher with a proper amount of water. Thedishwasher used in such an experiment was similar to various commercialand/or residential dishwashers that have integrated water heaterscalibrated to achieve specific temperatures for proper sanitation. Insuch an experiment, the dishwasher raised the incoming water temperatureof 78° Fahrenheit (F) to 179° F. This increase in temperature activatedthe wash cycle using dissolved carbon dioxide water in place of tapwater and detergents. Approximately 2 gallons of carbon dioxide treatedwater was used during the entire process. After the wash and rinsecycles were completed, the washed dishes and tableware were inspectedfor cleanliness. It was determined that the washed items were visuallycleaner, shinier, and without water spots compared to items washed itemsusing detergents and various rinsing agents. Some dishwashers mayrequire an on-demand hot water booster to raise temperatures to 130° F.before entering the dishwasher booster pump.

Hard water issues are relieved by the low pH of the dissolved carbondioxide in water. For example in the experiment described above, therestaurant tap water had a pH of 7.5 before treatment and, aftertreatment, the pH had dropped to 4.5. Calcium- and lime-scale maybuildup may be typical with appliances exposed to hard water, and mayprove untypical when high amounts of co2 is dissolved in water. The lowpH of carbon dioxide water dissolves grease from surfaces and alsodissolves the salts found in high pH water. In the foregoing example, itwas observed that the wash result indicated few to no water spots orstains on the washed dishes and glassware.

The carbon dioxide gas is the same type as those used for carbonatedbeverages. The carbon dioxide is captured at coal power plants andothers to be reused. A significant number of lakes and rivers globallyare under stress from algal blooms. An example of such a lake is LakeErie, on which millions of people depend for clean water. Accordingly, aneed exists to limit the amount of phosphorus entering local watershedsin order to discourage future algal blooms. Various studies indicatethat there are over 600,000 restaurants in the United States. Variousstudies also indicate that restaurants may spend as much as $500 permonth (or more) on detergents and sanitizers. These figures suggest thatsuch restaurants may spend an estimate of $300 million per month (ormore) for detergent costs. The impact on sewage treatment facilities anddamage to local streams and lakes caused by detergents is alsosignificant. An estimate of the monthly cost of carbon dioxide for anaverage restaurant using a dishwashing system of the present disclosuremay be approximately $50 per month and will have minimal, if any,negative impacts on local watersheds (because the carbon dioxide inwater is released back into the air as hot temperatures in thedishwasher system expand the gas).

Compressed carbon dioxide 127 located in a tank or bottle may bepositioned near or far from the system in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure. A regulator 128 may control thegas flow and pressure that flows through a connected air hose 129 andinto a helical vane 130 in order to expose the gas to the watercontained in a tank 131. Water may flow through a bulkhead 132, throughan opened ball valve 133, through a pipe 134, and through an intake portof a pump 135, where carbon dioxide gas is exposed to the water andmixed. A first coupling 136 may connect the helical vane 133 to a pump135. A second coupling 137 may connect an outflow end of the helicalvane 133 to a flexible hose 138, which may discharge treated water 139back into the tank 131.

The system may recirculate treated water for several minutes in order toachieve a 2000+ mg/l content of carbon dioxide in water. Subsequently,the system may be turned off by unplugging the pump 135 and closing theregulator 128. Treated water begins to flow out of the tank 131 andthrough a pipe 140 when the on demand transfer pump 141 is activated bya pressure drop. A pressure drop may be caused by the dishwasher intakevalve opening to introduce water. Water flows through another pipe 142,through an elbow 143, and up into a dishwasher 144, where carbon dioxidewater is heated to 179° F. When the washing cycle is complete, thedishwasher 144 may release dirty water down a pipe 144A and into a drain145. Four legs 146 may stabilize the dishwasher. The objects to besanitized may be placed on a preloading arm 147 and moved to unloadingarm 148 after washing is complete. An overhead vent 149 may capturesteam and remove it. New tap water may flow through a pipe 150 whenrefilling is required.

A typical dishwasher may use two gallons of water per treatment, andeach treatment may consume ten minutes to heat, wash, and unload, whichequates to six wash cycles per hour. Using a 100-gallon tank of treatedcarbon dioxide water, enough supply is provided for eight hours ofcontinuous operation. (E.g., six washes per hour=12 gallons/hour=96gallons per eight hours. Refilling an empty tank requires eight minutes.Treating 100 gallons of tap water with carbon dioxide may require 15minutes, and such a quantity may be enough for 8 more hours ofcontinuous use. In addition, a smaller water tank may be used when thesystem is connected to a custom gas saturation control system.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a pump/vane. In some embodiments, sucha pump/vane may be the same pump/vane referred to in FIG. 8 and/or FIG.9. As illustrated in FIG. 12, liquid may flow from an external tank intoa pipe 152 through a union joint 153 and into a pump 154. Once in thepump 154, liquid to be treated is pumped through a union 156, flowsthrough a pipe 157, and flows through an elbow connection 158. Gas maybe injected through stainless steel pins 159. The gas may be exposed toliquid upstream of vane in pipe. 162. Gas with a regulated flow from anexternal apparatus may flow through an air hose 160 and into the pipehousing vane 162. A coupling at a bottom end of the pipe housing vane162 may connect to a tank. An outer shell housing 164 may provideencapsulation. A power source 165 may be connected to the pump 154 toprovide power.

In some embodiments, a gas saturation controller may be included. Thegas controller may provide a method to maintain gas saturation such ascarbon dioxide in water is controlled by an automated pH controllersystem. The pH controller system may include an upper compartment and alower component. The lower component may include a water pump attachedto the helical vane with a check valve. The component may, additionallyor alternatively, include various elements, such as a Hanna instrumentpH controller, a brass pressure switch, a 3-way solenoid actuator, acontactor, a motor starter, a socket DIN, and/or a relay plug-in. A pHprobe may be immersed in a body of water, such as within a reservoirtank. The probe may continuously measure the pH. If the pH rises above aset point, the controller may determine that there is an adequate supplyof carbon dioxide. The controller may then close a contact, which willthen activate the motor and the carbon dioxide solenoid valve in orderto allow carbon dioxide gas to flow from the carbon dioxide tank intothe pipe housing the helical vane. This process may begin the dissolvingof carbon dioxide and circulation in the reservoir. This process maycontinue until the pH probe measures the desired pH set point and opensthe contact in the controller, which may then shut off the electricityto the motor starter contact, and the carbon dioxide solenoid may thenstop the flow of gas and the pump. In order to prevent continuousoperation of the water pump when no carbon dioxide is present from thecarbon dioxide tank, and the pH controller is demanding carbon dioxidegas, a low-pressure switch may be used to prevent the operation of thewater pump and the carbon dioxide solenoid.

As used herein, the term “liquid” refers to any liquid including, by wayof example only, water or a water based solution; the term “gas” refersto any gas including, by way of example only, oxygen, carbon dioxide,argon or nitrogen. Moreover the term “mixing” refers to any contact ofthe liquid and the gas, and includes, by way of example only, infusion,injection, oxygenation, treating, processing, enhancing, and/or anyother terms or results that can be obtained from contact of the liquidand the gas.

FIG. 13A illustrates an example of a three-dimensional (3D) printingapparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 13B illustrates an example of the 3D printing apparatusduring a first stage. FIG. 13B illustrates an example of the 3D printingapparatus during a second stage. 3D printing may be used as a directmanufacturing process as well as for rapid prototyping. 3D printingcreates three-dimensional objects by inkjet printing liquid adhesive tojoin loose powder, which allows parts to be built very quickly andinexpensively. This technology may use ink-jet based processes.Multichannel print head may deposit liquid adhesive binder onto the topof a bed of powder object material. The powder may be bonded together inthe areas where the adhesive is printed. The material used in thisapplication may be calcium sulfate hemihydrate plaster based compositepowder (ZP 130) and water-based binder (ZB 58).

As illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13C, the 3D printing apparatus may includeat least two chambers. A feed chamber may include the materials, whichmay be in the form of a powder, that will eventually form the 3D printedobject. Some of the feed located inside of the feed chamber may bepushed upwards. A roller may dispose the feed from the feed chamber andtowards the build chamber. The roller may be configured to apply asubstantially uniform layer of the feed onto the build chamber. Afterthe substantially uniform layer of the feed is positioned o the buildchamber, the roller may move away from the build chamber. Afterwards, aprint head may move on top of the substantially uniform layer of thefeed. The print head may expel a binding element, or other similarcompound, onto a designated portion of the substantially uniform layerof feed. The print head may spray the binding element at only thelocations where the 3D printed object is to be formed. The 3D printedobject is formed as the binding element is sprayed upon thecorresponding region of the feed. Where the binding element is notsprayed by the print head, no 3D printed object is formed.

After the binding element is sprayed by the print head onto thedesignated area of the substantially uniform layer of feed, the bottomof the build chamber may be lowered in order to create some room for anew layer of feed. The new layer of feed is provided by moving thebottom of the feed chamber upwards. As described above, the roller is(again) moved across the build chamber in order to create a newsubstantially uniform layer of feed. As also described above, the printhead can the move and spray the binding element on a particular portionof this new layer of feed. The foregoing process may be repeated untilthe 3D printed object is completed.

Although an example of a 3D printing apparatus is provided withreference to FIGS. 13A-13C, one of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that various other 3D printing apparatuses may be used inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a method and/or process performed inaccordance with the 3D printing apparatus. At block 1402, the 3Dprinting apparatus may reduce the volume of the feed chamber. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 13A-13C, the bottom of the feed chamber maybe pushed upwards, thereby reducing the volume of the feed chamber. As aresult of the reduction of the volume of the feed chamber, an amount offeed may be made available for rolling towards the direction of thebuild chamber.

At block 1404, the 3D printing apparatus may spread a layer of powdermaterial using rollers. As illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13C, the feed may berolled from the feed chamber towards the build chamber. The roller mayform a substantially uniform layer of feed on the build chamber.

At block 1406, the 3D printing apparatus may deposit a binding elementonto the spread layer of powder material using the print head(s). Thebinding element may cause the powder to congeal as a unitary object,which forms a portion of the 3D printed object.

At block 1408, the 3D printing apparatus may increase the volume of thebuild chamber. As illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13C, the bottom of the buildchamber may be lowered, thereby increasing the volume of the buildchamber. As a result of lowering the bottom of the build chamber, someroom is created, which allows another layer of the powder to be providedon top of the preceding layer.

At block 1410, the 3D printing apparatus may determine whether theprinting of the 3D printed object is complete. The printing is completewhen no additional layers need to be added to the 3D printed object.However, if additional layers still need to be added to the 3D printedobject, the method may proceed to block 1402, as described in greaterdetail above.

The methods and/or processes described with reference to FIG. 14 areprovided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit thescope of the present disclosure. The methods and/or processes describedwith reference to FIG. 14 may be performed in sequences different fromthose illustrated therein without deviating from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Additionally, some or all of the methods and/orprocesses described with reference to FIG. 14 may be performedindividually and/or together without deviating from the scope of thepresent disclosure. It is to be understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed is an illustration ofexemplary processes. Based upon design preferences, it is understoodthat the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods may berearranged. The accompanying method claims present elements of thevarious steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to thespecific order or hierarchy presented unless specifically recitedtherein.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of various hardware components of aprocessing system 1502 of the 3D printing apparatus. The processingsystem 1502 may include one or more processors 1504, a memory 1506, acomputer-readable medium 1508, a bus 1510, and a bus interface 1512. Thememory 1506, the one or more processors 1504, the computer-readablemedium 1508, and the bus interface 1512 may be connected together viathe bus 1510. The bus 1510 may also link various other circuits such astiming sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, transceivers, and/orpower management circuits.

The processor 1504 may include various hardware components and/orsoftware modules that can perform various functions and/or enablevarious aspects associated with controlling various operations of theprocessing system 1502 of the 3D printing apparatus. In someconfigurations, the processor 1504 provides the means for reducing thevolume of the feed chamber of the 3D printing apparatus. In someconfigurations, the processor 1504 provides the means for spreading alayer of powder material using rollers of the 3D printing apparatus. Insome configurations, the processor 1504 provides the means fordepositing binding elements onto the spread layer of powder usingrollers of the 3D printing apparatus. In some configurations, theprocessor 1504 provides the means for increasing the volume of the buildchamber of the 3D printing apparatus. In some configurations, theprocessor 1504 provides the means for determining whether the printingof the 3D printed object is complete. The foregoing description providesa non-limiting example of the processor 1504 of the processing system1502 of the 3D printing apparatus. Although various circuits have beendescribed above, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand thatthe processor 1504 may also include various other processors and/orcircuits that are in addition and/or alternative(s) to the processor1504. Such other processors and/or circuits may provide the means forperforming any one or more of the functions, methods, processes,features and/or aspects described herein.

The computer-readable medium 1508 may include various instructions. Theinstructions may include computer-executable code configured to performvarious functions and/or enable various aspects described herein. Thecomputer-executable code may be executed by various hardware components(e.g., the processor 1504) of the processing system 1502. Theinstructions may be a part of various software programs and/or softwaremodules. In some configurations, the computer-readable medium 1508 mayinclude instructions configured for reducing the volume of the feedchamber of the 3D printing apparatus. In some configurations, thecomputer-readable medium 1508 may include instructions configured forspreading a layer of powder material using rollers of the 3D printingapparatus. In some configurations, the computer-readable medium 1508 mayinclude instructions configured for depositing binding elements onto thespread layer of powder using rollers of the 3D printing apparatus. Insome configurations, the computer-readable medium 1508 may includeinstructions configured for increasing the volume of the build chamberof the 3D printing apparatus. In some configurations, thecomputer-readable medium 1508 may include instructions configured fordetermining whether the printing of the 3D printed object is complete.The foregoing description provides a non-limiting example of thecomputer-readable medium 1508 of the processing system 1502 of the 3Dprinting apparatus. Although various instructions (e.g.,computer-executable code) have been described above, one of ordinaryskill in the art will understand that the computer-readable medium 1508may also include various other instructions that are in addition and/oralternative(s) to aforementioned instructions. Such other instructionsmay include computer-executable code configured for performing any oneor more of the functions, methods, processes, features and/or aspectsdescribed herein.

The memory 1506 may include various memory modules. The memory modulesmay be configured to store, and have read therefrom, various valuesand/or information by the processor 1504. The memory modules may also beconfigured to store, and have read therefrom, various values and/orinformation upon execution of the computer-executable code included inthe computer-readable medium 1508. In some configurations, thedimensions and measurements of the object to be 3D printed may be storedin the memory 1506. The processor 1504 may read such dimensions andmeasurements for each layer of the 3D printed object. One of ordinaryskill in the art will also understand that the memory 1506 may alsoinclude various other memory modules. The other memory modules may beconfigured for storing information therein, and reading informationtherefrom, with respect to any of the features, functions, methods,processes, and/or aspects described herein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will also understand that theprocessing system 1502 may include alternative and/or additionalelements without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, an element,or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may beimplemented with a processing system that includes one or moreprocessors 1504. Examples of the one or more processors 1504 includemicroprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices(PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, andother suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalitydescribed throughout this disclosure.

Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instructionsets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, softwaremodules, applications, software applications, software packages,routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution,procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware,middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Thesoftware may reside on the computer-readable medium 1508. Thecomputer-readable medium 1508 may be a non-transitory computer-readablemedium. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes, by way ofexample, a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strip), an optical disk (e.g., a compact disc (CD) or a digitalversatile disc (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., acard, a stick, or a key drive), a random access memory (RAM), a readonly memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM),an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, a removable disk,and any other suitable medium for storing software and/or instructionsthat may be accessed and read by a computer. The computer-readablemedium 1508 may also include, by way of example, a carrier wave, atransmission line, and any other suitable medium for transmittingsoftware and/or instructions that may be accessed and read by acomputer. The computer-readable medium 1508 may be embodied in acomputer program product. By way of example and not limitation, acomputer program product may include a computer-readable medium inpackaging materials. Those skilled in the art will recognize how best toimplement the described functionality presented throughout thisdisclosure depending on the particular application and the overalldesign constraints imposed on the overall system.

The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled inthe art to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functionalequivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughoutthis disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those ofordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by referenceand are intended to be encompassed by the claims.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrase referring to“at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of thoseitems, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b,or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, band c. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of thevarious aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known orlater come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art areexpressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to beencompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein isintended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether suchdisclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is tobe construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless theelement is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in thecase of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “stepfor.”

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for mixing a gas with a liquid, theapparatus comprising: a tube having two ends, with a first end being aliquid input end and a second end being a liquid outlet end, the tubeproviding a fluid path; a helical vane arrangement disposed inside thetube, dividing a portion of the main fluid path into two fluid pathregions, the helical vane arrangement including a first helical vane anda second helical vane downstream from the first helical vane; and a gasinjection port associated with the tube and adapted to inject gas intothe fluid path upstream of the first helical vane.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein each of the first helical vane and the second helicalvane has a length, and the length of the second helical vane is lessthan the length of the first helical vane.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the length of the second helical vane is approximately 30% lessthan the length of the first helical vane.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein each of the first helical vane and second helical vane has alength, a beginning, an end, and an increasing helical pitch along thelength, and the helical pitch at the beginning of the second helicalvane is greater than the helical pitch at the beginning of the firsthelical vane.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the helical pitch atthe beginning of the second helical vane is less than the helical pitchat the end of the first helical vane.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein each of the first helical vane and second helical vane has abeginning and an end, and the beginning of the second helical vane isseparated from the end of the first helical vane by a gap.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube and the helical vane arrangementare unitary with each other.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thetube and the helical vane arrangement are a single three-dimensional(3D) printed component.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprisinga pipe, wherein the tube with the helical vane arrangement is disposedwithin the pipe.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising astructure located upstream of the helical vane arrangement, thestructure having a sidewall configured to allow gas to flow therethrough.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the structurecorresponds to a portion of the tube that is upstream of the firsthelical vane, the portion of the tube comprising at least one holethrough the sidewall.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein thestructure corresponds to a porous membrane.
 13. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the gas injection port on the tube is at least partiallyaligned with the sidewall configured to allow gas to flow there through.14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a joint pipe coupledto tube, wherein the gas injection port is part of the joint pipe.